Across the Line – a transboundary river, the case of Baqa-Jett 

Within the complex reality of the State of Israel, physical and mental boundaries have become integral to the daily landscape. In Israel and the West Bank, 15 transboundary rivers have faced years of pollution, endangering both human health and local ecosystems on either side of the Separation Wall. 

This project examines the Hadera River as a transboundary stream, flowing from Jenin, passing the Separation Wall near Baqa al-Gharbia, and continuing to the sea. It focuses on the section where the river crosses the Separation Wall, particularly between Baqa al-Sharqiyah in the east and Baqa al-Gharbiyya and Jett in the west. The study will assess the pollution sources affecting the river, the surrounding populations, and the various barriers it encounters. This area, which was once a unified town before the wall’s construction, primarily consists of private agricultural lands or restricted areas adjacent to the wall. 

The project proposes a rehabilitation plan for the river, emphasizing cooperation between the villages on either side of the Separation Wall. Restoration will occur in stages, utilizing nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands. While the river serves as a vital connector, the Separation Wall represents a significant source of conflict. 

The plan also addresses the need for urban development in Baqa-Jett, highlighting the shortage of land in Arab villages. It will carefully examine the area’s characteristics and potential stages for change, seeking to balance the necessity for development with the residents’ attachment to their private lands.